27/08/2009

Two strong auteur Swedish films are opening tomorrow on domestic screens. Burrowing [+see also:
trailer
film profile] (Man tänker sitt) by feature debutants Fredrik Wenzel and Henrik Hellström, and the documentary Videocracy [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile] by Italian born Swedish filmmaker Erik Gandini.

Burrowing is carried by the good word of mouth and positive reviews that followed its world premiere at the Berlinale 2009’s Forum Section. The experimental contemplative film, made up of scenes woven together, is a hymn to nature and the importance of self-reliance. The film was produced by the Swedish artistic collective Fasad from South West Sweden. At the last Berlinale, NonStop Entertainment acquired rights for the Nordic and Baltic region and is launching it in nine Swedish cities. The Norwegian premiere (Arthaus) is set for November 9. World sales are handled by Paris-based Wide Management.

Videocracy is opening in seven Swedish cinemas through Folket’s Bio, ahead of its international launch in Venice where it will be shown at a unique special event screening jointly organised by the Critic’s Week and Venice Days. Gandini’s look at Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi’s media empire and influence on Italian society, has already attracted a lot of media attention in Italy. Francesco di Pace, head of Programming for Venice Critic’s Week says about the film: “Videocracy is not exactly a movie about Berlusconi, but a movie about the Berlusconian Italy: physiologically, sociologically and maybe even anthropologically Berlusconian. A thirty-year Italy obsessed with the sexual exhibitionism and the total absence of a moral check, probably very incapable to see itself in the mirror. “

The documentary was produced by Atmo, in co-production with Denmark’s Zentropa Entertainment. Italian distributor Fandango will release it in Italy on 30 screens on September 4. Videocracywill then screen in Toronto’s Real to Reel section. World sales are handled by TrustNordisk.